Gibson Epiphone Banjo Serial Numbers

Did you know that you can use Epiphone serial numbers to discover the age of your guitar? In this guide, we'll give you the basics on how it works so that you can learn if you have a vintage gem that's worth a fortune.

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How To Use Epiphone Serial Numbers To Date Your Guitar

Epiphone by Gibson MM-50E/VN Electric/Acoustic F-Style Mandolin Ser#. $29.89 shipping. Epiphone MB-100 Banjo Natural. Gibson Epiphone Banjo Serial Numbers Archtop model changes: Soloist Emperor + DeLuxe: one single batch with cutaway body (documented examples: SN 16501, 16503, 16504, 16505) Spartan: primavera back + sides on new blonde finish version (first SN 16941) Ritz: new 15¼' model, blond finish only (first SN 17071) Flattop model changes.

If you have a vintage Epiphone or Gibson guitar, you could be sitting on a gold mine. Many older models have a rich history, and better than that, they could be worth a lot of money.

If you can't make it to an antique shop with a certified professional who can date your guitar, you can still determine its age by using the Epiphone serial number. That information is extremely helpful if you're trying to determine its value or if you're looking to sell your instrument.

In this guide, we'll give you the basics on how the numbers work and resources to help you determine the age and origin of your guitar.

To understand the significance of the Epiphone serial number, we first need to look at how their company historyintertwines with that of Gibson.

Epiphone started as a family business in 1873 as a luxury banjo manufacturer. In the 1930's, they switched up their business model and began producing high-end guitars, and became the only manufacturer to successfully make the transition.

Excel 2016 for mac download. They grew in popularity and by the 1950's, became Gibson's main rival. In 1957, the Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI) acquired Epiphone. As they already owned Gibson, this merge brought the two powerful brand names under one umbrella.

In 1969, a second purchase occurred. Norlin acquired CMI and moved all of the production of Epiphone to Japan and subsequently to Korea.

During each of these transitions, there were also changes made to how the instruments were labeled, which is part of the reason why the serial number identification process is so confusing. For example, after 1969, it's unlikely your guitar would have a label saying it was made overseas, but you might have a seven-digit serial number that could tell that story.

When trying to date your vintage Epiphone or Gibson instrument, the most accurate way to do it is by decoding the serial number. Because there aren't any factory ledgers prior to the 1980's for Epiphone, these stamps will give you the closest approximation to their manufacturing date.

Particularly with older models, the serial number may not be enough to trace the guitar's origins. Because there is not a single, central database for any of the models manufactured prior to 1977, you have to dig deep into the code to figure out from where and when it originated.

In fact, at Gibson's customer service line, they report that at least a quarter of the calls they receive daily are from people trying to date their guitar.

If it was manufactured after 1977, the process is easy. If not, they, like the rest of us, refer to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars to try to begin the process.

• Used Book in Good Condition
• Carter, Walter (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

A serial number not only confirms the authenticity of your guitar but can impact the value. If, for example, you have a Gibson Explorer that was made from 1958 to 1959, you have one of the few models produced in that period.

In general, rare guitars are worth more money, and that particular model is valued at between $250,000 and $310,000.

Today, it's simple to use the serial number on your Gibson to date your guitar. If it was manufactured after 1977, the build date is included in the sequence.

The first and fifth number signifies the year it was built, and the second, third, and fourth are the day of the year.

For example, if the first five digits of your eight-digit serial number are 01545, then you know that the guitar was made on the 154th day of the year in 2005.

The sixth number in the modern sequence will tell you the batch, and the last three indicate the rolling production number.

Unfortunately, prior to the system instituted in 1977, the process is anything but simple to decipher.

There are entire books written on how to decipher your Epiphone serial number sequence, but here we will outline the basics of what you need to know based on year ranges that have commonalities.

In the first two years, 1932 and 1933, Epiphone die-stamped the serial number on the inside of the back of their instruments. If you look through the 'F' hole on the bass side, you will see it positioned below the label.

Beginning in 1934, they moved the placement directly onto the label itself.

This sequence begins in 1932 with the number 5000, and the last documented serial number in this series is 20142.

When Epiphone launched the Electar line in 1935, they also began using a new system for serial numbers on their electric instruments.

You'll find them die stamped on the top rear of the peghead, and they are a sequence of between three and five numbers.

They range from 001 in 1935, to 9999 in 1945.

In 1944, there were some shakeups inside of Epiphone which resulted in the creation of a new numbering system. Most significantly, Epi died, and his widow gave up her shares which opened the door to a financial restructuring of the company.

At the same time, the new shareholders decided to change some of their production methods which had a direct impact on their inventory. This, in turn, affected the numbering scheme.

The new serials began at 50,000 in 1944 and ended at 59,999 in 1950.

This is one of the many spans of time where there is a significant amount of grey area around dating the serial number on your instrument.

We know that from 1944 to 1950, the manufacturer introduced a two-digit prefix in front of the actual three-digit production number of all of its electric models. However, there is no data that tells us how many guitars were made each year, which makes it impossible to pinpoint an estimated date the instrument was manufactured.

On these models, you'll locate the impressed serial number on the back side of the top of the peghead.

In 1951, Epiphone transitioned their electric models to the same five-digit numbering scheme as their acoustic models. Beginning with 60000 in 1951, and ending with the last known New-York made model, the Epi Zephyr, number 69637.

After Epiphone and Gibson merged under the same umbrella, Gibson started following their lead and placing serial numbers on their guitars.

During this time period, they ink stamped the digits on the back of the peghead and used the last number of the year as the first number in the serial sequence on their solid body models.

For example, in 1958, the first digit in the serial number is 8. In 1960, the first number was 0.

From 1958 to 1961, Gibson branded guitars used a different numbering series than Epiphone. You know it's a Gibson if there is the letter 'A' preceding the serial number found on the label of a hollow body model.

Beginning with A1000 in 1958, this series goes to A4999 in 1961.

In 1961, all of the guitars produced that were not part of the A-Series by both Gibson and Epiphone followed the same serial number series.

The manufacturers stamped it on the top backside of the peghead. They also removed text that read 'Made in the USA' during this years because some of the components were created overseas.

The sequence begins with serial number 0100 in 1961, and by 1967, the six-digit code emerges. During that year, all started with the number zero, and by 1968 the companies were up to 999999.

Notably, from 1966 to 1968, they made an adjustment to differentiate between the low and high-end models. In that span, guitars numbered between 600000 to 600998 were lower quality. Then, in 1969, they changed things up and used the sequence 600000 to 606090 to denote the more expensive, high-end guitars.

There are many variations of serial numbers, and it can sometimes be difficult to decipher the code.

In addition to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, which is considered the ultimate reference point for guitar enthusiasts, there are a few additional resources that can help.

In the Gibson forums, their support staff has broken down all of the possibilities for you and tried to help make sense of it. They share the four distinct formats, as well as a full list of factory later and number codes, and special designations found on the Les Paul models.

Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
Model Information and Specs.

Model Information:

Archtop (full depth) Hollowbody Models

Thinline (Gibson-made) Hollowbody Models:

Flat top Models:

Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Models:

1959 Gibson-made Epiphone
Emperor Zephyr Regent

Epiphone Emperor (acoustic), Zephyr Emperor Regent (electric) archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: A, Electric Cutaway model: C, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: B.
On-par with Gibson's Super 400, but not nearly as collectible because the Epi name just doesn't have the collectibility Gibson has.

18 1/2' wide, maple back and sides, 7 ply binding on top and back, 3 ply binding on F-holes, single bound fingerboard with 2 white lines inlaid along edges, triple bound peghead, vine peghead inlay, gold plated parts.

1936 Emperor introduction specs:

• elongated pickguard.
• 3 segment 'V' block pearl fingerboard inlay.
• Sunburst finish.
• Treble side dip on peghead.
• Ebony fingerboard.

1939 Emperor specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.
• Abalone wedge in 3 segment 'V' block fingerboard inlay.
• Natural finish optional.
• Center dip peghead.

1952 Zephyr Emperor Regent specs:

• Zephyr Emperior Regent (cutaway) model available with 3 New York pickups, 2 knobs, control plate with 6 small pushbuttons.

1954 Emperor Electric specs:
• Zephyr Emperior Regent model renamed Emperior Electric.
• Non-cutaway acoustic model discontinued.

1958 Emperor Electric specs:

• Gibson made.
• Acoustic model discontinued.
• Thinbody.
• 3 New York pickups.
• Control plate with push buttons discontinued.
• 4 knobs and a 3-way switch added.
• Stairstep Grover tuner buttons.

1961 Emperor Electric specs:

• 3 Mini-humbucking pickups.
• Available special order only: 1963.

Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1951 Epiphone Deluxe Zephyr Regent

Epiphone Deluxe (acoustic), Zephyr Deluxe (electric), Zephyr Deluxe Regent archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: B+, Electric Cutaway model: C-, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: C+.
On-par with Gibson's L-5, but not nearly as collectible because the Epi name just doesn't have the collectibility Gibson has. The Empire is the tenor version of the Deluxe and was available from 1931 to 1939.

16 3/8' wide, maple back and sides, 3 ply binding on top and back, single bound fingerboard, bound peghead, gold plated parts.

1931 Deluxe introduction specs:

• Diamonds and triangle fingerboard inlay.
• 3 segment F-holes.
• Masterbilt peghead with flowers.
• Tenor version available called theEmpire (discontinued 1939).

1934 Deluxe specs:

• Foral and notched diamond fingerboard inlays.
• White pickguard.
• Vine peghead inlay.

1939 Deluxe specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.
• Natural finish optional.
• Center dip peghead.

1941 Zephyr Deluxe specs:

• Electric (Zephyr) version available: 1 pickup in bridge position, volume and tone control on 1 shaft with circular 'MasterVoicer' control plate.

1950 Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe Regent specs:

• Cutaway version (Regent) available.
• Laminated maple or spruce top or electric versions.
• New York style pickup(s) on Zephyr Deluxe.
• Single pickup Zephyr Deluxe has pickup in neck position.
• Two pickups available with slotted Strat-style switch.
• Two knobs mounted on circular 'MasterVoicer' control plate.
• Rosewood fingerboard.
• Some with Emperor style pearl/abalone V-block fingerboard inlays.

1951 Zephyr Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe Regent specs:

• Knobs in line parallel to strings.
• 'MasterVoicer' control plate discontinued.

1954 Deluxe Electric specs:

• Non-cutaway electric model discontinued.
• Zephyr Deluxe Regent (cutaway) version renamed Deluxe Electric.
• Knobs in line that crosses strings.

1958 Deluxe specs:

• Gibson made.
• Deluxe Electric (Zephyr Deluxe) and acoustic non-cutaway models dropped, leaving only the acoustic cutaway model available.

1965 Deluxe specs:

• Available by special order only.

Deluxe Discontinued 1970.

1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent.

1961 Epiphone Zephyr Natural E311TN thinline with Gibson mini-humbuckers.

Epiphone Zephyr, Zephyr Regent, Zephyr Electric archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Electric Cutaway model: D+, Electric Non-Cutaway model: D-.
Electric Epi's have little collectibility because of their plywood construction.

Maple veneer body, slotted-block fingerboard inlay, nickel plated parts, metal peghead logo plate.

1939 Zephyr introduction specs:

• 16 3/8' wide body, non-cutaway.
• 1 pickup with oblong housing and metal cover in bridge position.
• Multiple bound top, single bound top and fingerboard.
• Blond finish.

1942 Zephyr specs:

• Pickup in middle position.
• Single bound top.

1950 Zephyr and Zephyr Regent specs:

• 17 3/8' wide body with laminated spruce or maple top.
• Frequensator tailpiece.
• 1 New York pickup in neck position.
• Sunburst or blond finish.
• Available with cutaway (Zephyr Regent).

1953 Zephyr and Zephyr Regent specs:

• Avaliable with DeArmond pickup.

1954 Zephyr Electric specs:

• Rename Zephyr Electric (for both non-cutaway and cutaway models).

1958 Zephyr Electric specs:

• Acoustic model dropped.
• Gibson-made thinbody with rounded cutaway.
• 2 New York pickups.
• Unbound tortoise pickguard.

1961 Zephyr Electric specs:

• Mini-humbucker pickups replace New York pickups.

Zephyr Discontinued 1964.

1959 Gibson-made Epiphone Century.
Melita bridge is not original.

Epiphone Century electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.

1939 Century introduction specs:
• 16 3/8' wide, non-cutaway.
• Blade pickup with oblong housing and metal cover/handrest in bridge position.
• Output jack on top.
• Single bound top, back, fingerboard.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Metal peghead logo.
• Walnut finish.
• Tenor version available called theMelody (discontinued 1958).

1942 Century specs:

• 15 1/4' wide.
• No handrest.
• Jack on side.

1946 Century specs:

• 16 3/8' wide, non-cutaway.
• Oblong pickup with fat blade in neck position.
• Square control plate with radial markings.
• Unbound fingerboard.

1950 Century specs:

• Large rectangular pickup with non-adjusting poles.
• Some Century's with New York pickup.
• Highlighted mahogany finish.

1954 Century specs:

• Blond finish available.
• Rectangular black pickup housing with oblong chrome plates.
• Some Century's with New York pickup.

1958 Century specs:

• Gibson made.
• 16 3/8' wide non-cutaway thin body.
• 1 New York pickup.
• 25 1/2' scale.
• Sunburst finish.

1960 Century specs:

• P90 pickup replaces New York pickup.

1961 Century specs:

• No peghead plate.
• Royal Burgundy finish available.

Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1934 Epiphone Tudor.

Epiphone Tudor acoustic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C.

16 3/8' wide, trapeze tailpiece, triple bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, floral and notched diamond fingerboard inlay, Masterbilt peghead, gold plated parts.

1931 Tudor introduction.
1934 Tudor specs: Maple back and sides, bound pickguard, block letter logo, wandering ving peghead inlay, unbound peghead.
1937 Tudor discontinued.

1954 Epiphone Broadway Zephyr Regent.

Epiphone Broadway acoustic and electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: C, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: D+, Gibson-made Electric Cutaway model: C.

16 3/8' wide, 25.5' scale, walnut back and sides, 3 ply binding on top and back,single bound fingerboard, bound peghead. The Bretton is the tenor version of the Broadway, and was available from 1931 to 1954 (renamed Broadway Tenor in 1937).

1931 Broadway introduction specs:

• 3 segment F-holes.
• Ebony fingerboard.
• Masterbilt peghead with flowers.
• Tenor version available called the Bretton (discontinued 1937).

1934 Broadway specs:

• Large block fingerboard inlays.
• Gold plated parts.
• Unbound peghead.
• Wandering vine peghead inlay.

1937 Broadway specs:

• 17 3/8' wide non-cutaway body.
• Pickguard extends even with bridge.
• Standard F-holes.
• Multiple bound peghead.

1939 Broadway specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.
• Maple back and sides.
• Center dip peghead.

1941 Broadway specs:

• Natural finish available.
• Flower peghead inlay.

1951 Broadway specs:

• Cutaway version (Regent) available.
• Fat column peghead inlay.

1958 Broadway Electric specs:

• Gibson made, cutaway model.
• Acoustic model discontinued.
• 2 New York pickups.

1961 Broadway Electric specs:

• 2 Mini-humbucking pickups.
• Tunematic bridge.

Broadway Discontinued 1970.

1953 Epiphone Triumph Regent. Picture from Folkway Music.

Epiphone Triumph acoustic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: Cutaway model: C, Non-cutaway model: D.
The Triumph is essentially a Gibson L-7, or the poor-man's Deluxe (or L-5).

16 3/8' wide, 25.5' scale, 3 ply binding on top and back, sunburst finish, single bound fingerboard, bound peghead, gold plated parts. Note: only interested in cutaway (Regent) version. The Hollywood is the Tenor version of the Truimph, and was available from 1934 to 1956 (renamed Truimph Tenor in 1937).

1931 Triumph introduction specs:

• Walnut back and sides.
• Paired diamond fingerboard inlays.
• Masterbilt peghead.
• Tenor version available called the Royal (discontinued 1935).

1934 Triumph specs:

• Maple back and sides.
• Notched diamond fingerboard inlays.
• Floral ornament with fleur-de-lis design at top inlaid on peghead.
• Block letter logo.
• Script logo in 1935.

1937 Triumph specs:

• 17 3/8' wide non-cutaway body.
• Script logo.
• Pickguard extends below bridge.
• Standard F-holes.
• Single bound peghead and back.

1939 Triumph specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.

1941 Triumph specs:

• Natural finish available.
• Center dip peghead.

1949 Triumph specs:

• Cutaway version (Regent) available.
• Fat column peghead inlay.
• 'E' on pickguard.

1958 Triumph specs:

• Gibson made.
• Non-cut model discontinued.

Triumph Discontinued 1970.

Epiphone Spartan archtops.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

16 3/8' wide, nickel plated parts, bound top, back, fingerboard. Tenor version call the 'Regent' from 1934 to 1937, then renamed the Spartan Tenor (tenor version discontinued 1950).

1934 Spartan introduction specs:

• Round sound hole.
• Maple back and sides.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Stickpin peghead inlay.
• Block peghead logo.
• Sunburst finish.
• Tenor version available called theRegent (discontinued 1937).

1937 Spartan specs:

• F-holes.
• Walnut back and sides.
• Slotted block fingerboard inlays.
• Greek column peghead inlay.
• Script peghead logo.

1941 Spartan specs:

• Blond finish available with white mahogany wood.

Spartan Discontinued 1950.

Epiphone Blackstone archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.

1931 Blackstone introduction specs:
• 14 3/4' wide, mahogany back and sides.
• Round sound hole.
• Single bound top, back, fingerboard.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Sunburst finish.

1933 Blackstone specs:

• Masterbilt banner on peghead.

1934 Blackstone specs:

• 15 1/2' wide.
• Block letter logo.
• Stickpin peghead inlay.

1937 Blackstone specs:

• 16 3/8' wide non cutaway.
• Maple back and sides.
• F-holes.
• Parallelagram fingerboard inlays.
• Notched elongated diamond peghead inlay.
• Script logo.
• Tenor version available.

1941 Blackstone specs:

• Blond finish available.

1945 Blackstone specs:

• Abalone vertical oval peghead inlay.
• Abalone peghead logo.

Blackstone Discontinued 1950.

1953 Epiphone Devon.

Epiphone Devon archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C.

1949: 17 3/8' wide carved top, 25.5' scale, frequensator tailpiece, single bound pickguard, triple bound top, oval fingerboard inlays, vertical oval peghead inlay, script Epi logo, sunburst or blond finish. Discontinued in 1953.Structurally the same as the Broadway and Triumph models.

1933 Epiphone Royal.

Epiphone Royal archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

1931: Mahogany back and sides, 3 segment 'f' hole, single bound top and back and fingerboard, dot fingerboard inlays, Masterbilt peghead, sunburst finish.
1934: 15 1/2' wide, walnut back and sides, rounded peak peghead.
1935: discontinued.

1948 Epiphone Zenith.

Epiphone Zenith archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D- (similar to an ES-125).

1931 Zenith introduction specs:
• 13 5/8' wide.
• Segmented F-holes.
• Maple back and sides.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Single bound top and back.
• Sunburst finish.
• Tenor version available called theMelody (discontinued 1958).

1934 Zenith specs:

• 14 3/4' wide.
• Walnut back and sides.
• Stickpin peghead logo.
• Block peghead logo.

1954 Zenith specs:

• Blond finish available.
• Vertical oval peghead inlay.

1958 Zenith specs:

• Gibson made.
• 16 3/8' wide.

Zenith Discontinued 1970.

1934 Epiphone Beverly.

Epiphone Beverly archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.

13' wide, flat top, arched back, mahogany back and sides, 3 segmented 'f' holes, adjustable bridge, trapeze tailpiece, elevated pickguard, no body binding, dot fingerboard inlays, rounded top pehead, brown finish, tenor available. Introduced 1931 and discontinued in 1937.

Epiphone Olympic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.

• 1931 Olympic specs: 13' wide, mahogany back and sides, 3 segmented 'f' holes.
• 1933 Olympic specs: 13 5/8' wide, trapeze tailpiece, rounded end fingerboard with dot inlays, rounded non-peak peghead, sunburst finish.
• 1934 Olympic specs: decal logo with 'Epiphone' on a banner and 'masterbilt' underneath banner.
• 1937 Olympic specs: 15 1/4' wide, standard 'f' holes. Tenor and plectrum version available.
• 1942 Olympic specs: script peghead logo with tail underneath.
• 1939 Olympic specs: center dip peghead.
• 1950 Olympic specs: discontinued.

Note in 1937-1939 Epiphone sold a model called the Apollo in England. It was very similar to the Olympic with amahogany or birch 16' sunburst body, segmented f-holes, rectanglefingerboard inlays, 'Epiphone Masterbilt' decal peghead logo, and a black pickguard. It cost less than the Olympic and had a mix of features which Jim Fisch says led to speculation it may have been produced by Regal for Epiphone.

1937 Epiphone Apollo, replaced tuners.

Epiphone Byron archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.

Gibson Epiphone Banjo Serial Numbers Lookup

15 3/8' wide, mahogany back and sides, adjustable bridge, trapeze tailpiece, unbound elevated pickguard, single bound top and back, dot fingerboard inlays, script Epi logo with tail underneath, center dip peghead. Available about 1938 only.

Epiphone Ritz archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.

15 1/4' wide, maple back and sides, tortoise grain binding, trapeze tailpiece, dot fingerboard inlays, center dip pickguard, cherry neck blond finish. Tenor version available. Introduced 1941 and discontinued in 1950.

1965 Gibson-made Epiphone Sheraton.

Epiphone Sheraton thinline semi-hollow electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: NY parts models: B+, Gibson parts models: C.
With NY pickups, knobs and neck, this is a very elegant model on par with Gibson's ES-355. However, with Gibson parts it's way less collectible.

16' wide, double round cutaways, thin semi-hollow body with solid maple block down center (like an ES-355), sunburst or blond finish, 7 layer top body binding, multiple bound neck, back, headstock, pickguard, flower headstock inlay, V-block pearl/abalone fingerboard inlay, 24 3/4' scale, Frequensator tailpiece (optional Bigsby), gold plated parts.

1958 Sheraton introduction specs:

• 2 New York pickups.

1961 Sheraton specs:

• 2 mini-humbucking pickups.
• Vibrato standard.

1965 Sheraton specs:

• Cherry finish optional.

Sheraton Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1966 Riveria.

Epiphone Riviera thinline electric semi-hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C-.
Epi's version of the ES-335, but uglier.

16' wide, double round cutaways, thin semi-hollow body with solid maple block down center (like an ES-335), royal tan finish, bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, 24 3/4' scale, mini-humbucking pickups, Frequensator tailpiece.

Late 1961 Riviera introduction specs:

• oval fingerboard inlays (like a Windsor).
• Single bound tortoise pickguard.

1961 Riviera introduction specs:

• single parallelogram fingerboard inlays

  1965 Riviera specs:

  • Sunburst finish standard.

  1966 Riviera specs:

  • White 3-ply pickguard with beveled edges.
  • Cherry finish optional.

1967 Riviera specs:
• Vibrato optional.

Riviera Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1961 Gibson-made Epiphone Casino, royal tan.

Epiphone Casino thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup model: C+, 1 pickup model: D-.
Essentially an ES-330. The fact that the Beatles used this guitar is the key reason it has any collectibility.

16' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thin body (like an ES-330), sunburst or royal tan finish, 24 3/4' scale, trapeze tailpiece (optional Bigsby), 16 frets clear of the body, single bound fingerboard, 1 P-90 pickup in middle position or 2 P-90 pickups.

1961 Casino introduction specs:

• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Black pickup covers.
• Metal peghead Epiphone logo
• tortoise pickguard

1962 Casino specs:

• Pearl inlaid Epiphone peghead logo.

1963 Casino specs:

• Single parallelogram fingerboard inlays.
• Nickel plated pickup covers.
• White pickguard.

1965 Casino specs:

• Chrome plated pickup covers and other parts.

1967 Casino specs:

• Cherry finish optional.

Casino Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1962 Professional.

Epiphone Professional thinline fully hollow electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.
A strange bird indeed. All amp controls are on the guitar, and it requires the matching amp to be fully functional. It is usable with other amps via the 1/4' jack on the top of the guitar(to utilize the matching amp requires a special cable plugged intothe guitar's multi-pin jack). There is one volume and one tone knob and 5 tone switches (giving a lot of tone variations for a one pickup guitar), which work through the 1/4' jack. The other controls on the guitar control the reverb and tremolo on the original matching amp and are as follows: one on/off switch for the reverb and one for the tremolo, one rotary knob for controlling the amount of reverb, one for controlling the amount of tremolo and one for the speed of the tremolo. So essentially the guitar is fully functional withoutthe matching amp, aside from the treble/reverb functions.But a bit too weird for most collectors, and with the single pickupbeing in the neck position, this scares away most players.

16 1/4' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thinbody, 1 mini-humbucking pickup, triple bound top, single bound back and fingerboard, single parallelogram fingerboard inlays, 24 3/4' scale, Frequensator tailpiece, tuneamatic bridge, royal tan or red finish. Came with a special amplifier. All amp controls on the guitar's black/white/black pickguard with 7 switches and 5 knobs. Symmetrical pickguard covered almost the whole top of the guitar.

Introduced in 1962, discontinued 1967.

Epiphone Caiola, Caiola Custom, Caiola Standard thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C-.
Essentially a fancy artist-model ES-330.

16' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thin body (like an ES-330), 2 mini-humbucking pickups, ebony adjustable bridge, zero nut, no soundholes, 25 1/2' scale, trapeze tailpiece with wood center insert saying 'Caiola Model', single bound fingerboard, 7-ply top and 5-ply back binding, arc-shaped control plate with 2 knobs, 5 switches and pickup selector, 'Custom' at end of fingerboard, block fingerboard inlays, fat column peghead logo, brownish-red or royal tan finish.
• Introduced 1963.
• 1965: Tuneamatic bridge added.
• 1966: Renamed 'Caiola Custom'.
• 1966: Caiola Standard introduced with 2 P-90 pickups, single bound top, dot fingerboard inlays, no peghead ornament.
• 1968: Walnut finish only for Caiola Custom.
• Caiola Custom, Caiola Standard discontinued 1970.

1961 Windor with 2 mini-humbuckers.

Epiphone Windsor thinline electric fully hollow cutaway archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup NY part model: B, 2 pickup Gibson part model: C+, all 1 pickup models: D-.
Basically a fancier Gibson ES-125tc or ES-125tdc models, but with better pickups andbetter hardware. The 1961/1962 models really rock because of thePAF mini-humbuckers. The 1959/1960 models don't sound as loud andpowerful, but have a more jazzy and mellow tone. This model is apersonal favorite of mine.

16 3/8' wide, single pointed cutaway, unbound tortoise pickguard, metal peghead logo, 24 3/4' scale, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, gold plated parts, oval fingerboard inlays, natural or sunburst finish.

1959 Windsor introduction specs:

• 1 or 2 New York pickups (1 pu models in neck position).

1961 Windsor specs:

• Mini Humbucking pickups.
• No peghead plate.

Windsor Discontinued 1962.

Gibson Epiphone Masterbuilt Banjo

A single pickup 1967 Sorrento
in Olive sunburst.

Epiphone Sorrento thinline electric fully hollow cutaway archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup model: C, 1 pickup model: D-.
Epi's version of the ES-125tc or ES-125tdc, but with mini-humbucker pickups.

16 1/4' wide, single pointed cutaway, unbound tortoise pickguard, metal peghead logo, 24 3/4' scale, tuneamatic bridge, trapeze tailpiece, nickel plated parts, dot fingerboard inlays, vibrato optional, natural or sunburst finish.

1960 Sorrento introduction specs: Draw board pdf crack free.

• 1 or 2 PAF mini-humbucking pickups (1 pu models in neck position).

1962 Sorrento specs:

• Oval fingerboard inlays.
• No peghead plate.
• 3/4 size available.
• Vibrato discontinued.

1968 Sorrento specs:

• Cherry finish available.

Sorrento Discontinued 1970.

1965 Gibson-made Epiphone Granada.

Epiphone Granada and Granada Cutaway thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

Much like a Gibson ES-120T. 16 1/4' non-cutaway, thinbody, 1 F-hole, 1 Melody Maker pickup mounted into the pickguard, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, controls mounted into pickguard, 24 3/4' scale, dot fingerboard inlays, sunburst finish.
• Introduced 1962.
• 1965: Granada Cutaway introduced with single sharp cutaway.
• Granada and Granada Cutaway Discontinued 1970.

1955 Epi FT-210 Deluxe Cutaway.

Epiphone FT Deluxe and FT210 Deluxe Cutaway flat tops.
Collectibility Rating: Cutaway model: A, Non-cutaway model: B.
Has the same attributes as Epi's Deluxe archtop, but in a flat top version. The cutaway model is like a cutaway J-200; a very rare and unique model. Of all pre-1958 Epi flattops, in my opinion this is the coolest!

Gibson Epiphone Banjo Serial Numbers Post War

• FT Deluxe specs: 16 1/2' wide, maple back and sides, pickguard, trapeze tailpiece, multiple bound top and back, maple neck, multiple bound rosewood fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, vine peghead inlay, gold plated parts, sunburst or natural finish.
• Introducted 1939. Discontinued 1942.

  FT210 Deluxe Cutaway specs: 17 3/8' wide, single round cutaway, multiple bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, flower peghead inlay, gold plated parts, natural top finish (some sunburst).

• Introduced in early 1950's. Discontinued 1957.

1967 Epi Excellente

Epiphone FT120 Excellente flat top.
Collectibility Rating: B.
The fanciest flat top produced during this period by Gibson. Brazilian rosewood back and sides makes it collectible. 1965 to 1970 models worth less than 1963-1964 models with bigger necks. Too bad this model didn't have 'slope shoulders', or it would be top in it's class (most collectors don't like Gibson's square shoulder dreadnought designs).
Square shoulder dreadnought shape, rosewood back and sides, tune-o-matic bridge, large pointed pickguard with engraved eagle, multiple bound top, back, and ebony fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, large pearl and abalone peghead inlay, single bound peghead, gold plated parts, natural top finish. Introduced in 1963. Discontinued 1970.

1966 Gibson-made Epiphone Frontier.

Epiphone FT110 (Frontier) flat top.
Collectibility Rating: Epi-made: C-, Gibson-made: C+.

1942-1957 New York made FT100 specs: 16' wide, arched maple back, cherry neck, multiple bound top, single bound fingerboard, slotted block fingerboard inlays, fixed bridge with compensating saddle, vertical oval peghead inlay.

Gibson made FT110 Frontier specs: 16 1/4' wide, 25 1/2' scale, square shoulder dreadnought shape, maple back and sides, bound fingerboard, sloted block fingerboard inlays, walnut finish on back and sides, natural or sunburst top, gold plated parts.

1958 FT110 Frontier specs:

• Gibson made ('Frontier' added to FT110 model name).

1962 FT110 Frontier specs:

• Adjustable saddle bridge.

1963 FT110 Frontier specs:
• Large pointed pickguard with rope and cactus design.

1966 FT110 Frontier specs:

• Standard teardrop shape pickguard, often with slashed 'C' logo.

FT110 Discontinued 1970.

1955 Epiphone Texan.

Epiphone FT79 (Texan) flat top.
Collectibility Rating: Epi-made: C-, Gibson-made: C.
The Gibson-made version is much like a J-45.

16' wide, walnut back and sides, triple bound top, single bound back and peghead.

1942 FT79 introduction specs:

• Slotted block fingerboard inlays.
• Stickpin peghead inlay.

1954 FT79 specs:

• Maple back and sides.
• Triple bound back (some single bound).
• Single parallelogram fingerboard inlays.
• Vertical oval peghead inlay.

1958 FT79 Texan specs:
• Gibson made ('Texan' added to FT79 model name).
• Round shouldered dreadnought shape.
• Mahogany back and sides.
• angled side rectangle fingerboard inlays.
• oval pearl peghead inlay.
• Slashed 'C' logo on pickguard.
• Plastic tuner buttons.

1962 FT79 Texan specs:

• Adjustable saddle bridge.

1967 FT79 Texan specs:

• Metal tuner buttons.
• Square shoulder body shape.

FT79 Discontinued 1970.

Epiphone Crestwood and Crestwood Custom solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: NY parts model: B+, Gibson parts model: C-.

Mahogany body, 2 pickups, tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece, pickguard with slashed 'C' logo, rosewood fingerboard.

1962 Crestwood Custom in Polaris White, 3+3 tuners.

1958 Crestwood introduction specs:

• Two New York pickups.
• 1 3/4' thick symmetrical slab body with squared edges.
• Square body edges.
• Sunburst finish.
• NY style white knobs.
• Tunematic bridge.
• Metal peghead logo.
• 3 tuners on a side peghead style.
• Asymmetrical pickguard with slashed-C logo.
• Gold plated parts.
• Inked serial number a la solidbody Gibsons.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.

1964 Crestwood Custom, batwing peghead.

The new serials began at 50,000 in 1944 and ended at 59,999 in 1950.

This is one of the many spans of time where there is a significant amount of grey area around dating the serial number on your instrument.

We know that from 1944 to 1950, the manufacturer introduced a two-digit prefix in front of the actual three-digit production number of all of its electric models. However, there is no data that tells us how many guitars were made each year, which makes it impossible to pinpoint an estimated date the instrument was manufactured.

On these models, you'll locate the impressed serial number on the back side of the top of the peghead.

In 1951, Epiphone transitioned their electric models to the same five-digit numbering scheme as their acoustic models. Beginning with 60000 in 1951, and ending with the last known New-York made model, the Epi Zephyr, number 69637.

After Epiphone and Gibson merged under the same umbrella, Gibson started following their lead and placing serial numbers on their guitars.

During this time period, they ink stamped the digits on the back of the peghead and used the last number of the year as the first number in the serial sequence on their solid body models.

For example, in 1958, the first digit in the serial number is 8. In 1960, the first number was 0.

From 1958 to 1961, Gibson branded guitars used a different numbering series than Epiphone. You know it's a Gibson if there is the letter 'A' preceding the serial number found on the label of a hollow body model.

Beginning with A1000 in 1958, this series goes to A4999 in 1961.

In 1961, all of the guitars produced that were not part of the A-Series by both Gibson and Epiphone followed the same serial number series.

The manufacturers stamped it on the top backside of the peghead. They also removed text that read 'Made in the USA' during this years because some of the components were created overseas.

The sequence begins with serial number 0100 in 1961, and by 1967, the six-digit code emerges. During that year, all started with the number zero, and by 1968 the companies were up to 999999.

Notably, from 1966 to 1968, they made an adjustment to differentiate between the low and high-end models. In that span, guitars numbered between 600000 to 600998 were lower quality. Then, in 1969, they changed things up and used the sequence 600000 to 606090 to denote the more expensive, high-end guitars.

There are many variations of serial numbers, and it can sometimes be difficult to decipher the code.

In addition to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, which is considered the ultimate reference point for guitar enthusiasts, there are a few additional resources that can help.

In the Gibson forums, their support staff has broken down all of the possibilities for you and tried to help make sense of it. They share the four distinct formats, as well as a full list of factory later and number codes, and special designations found on the Les Paul models.

Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
Model Information and Specs.

Model Information:

Archtop (full depth) Hollowbody Models

Thinline (Gibson-made) Hollowbody Models:

Flat top Models:

Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Models:

1959 Gibson-made Epiphone
Emperor Zephyr Regent

Epiphone Emperor (acoustic), Zephyr Emperor Regent (electric) archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: A, Electric Cutaway model: C, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: B.
On-par with Gibson's Super 400, but not nearly as collectible because the Epi name just doesn't have the collectibility Gibson has.

18 1/2' wide, maple back and sides, 7 ply binding on top and back, 3 ply binding on F-holes, single bound fingerboard with 2 white lines inlaid along edges, triple bound peghead, vine peghead inlay, gold plated parts.

1936 Emperor introduction specs:

• elongated pickguard.
• 3 segment 'V' block pearl fingerboard inlay.
• Sunburst finish.
• Treble side dip on peghead.
• Ebony fingerboard.

1939 Emperor specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.
• Abalone wedge in 3 segment 'V' block fingerboard inlay.
• Natural finish optional.
• Center dip peghead.

1952 Zephyr Emperor Regent specs:

• Zephyr Emperior Regent (cutaway) model available with 3 New York pickups, 2 knobs, control plate with 6 small pushbuttons.

1954 Emperor Electric specs:
• Zephyr Emperior Regent model renamed Emperior Electric.
• Non-cutaway acoustic model discontinued.

1958 Emperor Electric specs:

• Gibson made.
• Acoustic model discontinued.
• Thinbody.
• 3 New York pickups.
• Control plate with push buttons discontinued.
• 4 knobs and a 3-way switch added.
• Stairstep Grover tuner buttons.

1961 Emperor Electric specs:

• 3 Mini-humbucking pickups.
• Available special order only: 1963.

Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1951 Epiphone Deluxe Zephyr Regent

Epiphone Deluxe (acoustic), Zephyr Deluxe (electric), Zephyr Deluxe Regent archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: B+, Electric Cutaway model: C-, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: C+.
On-par with Gibson's L-5, but not nearly as collectible because the Epi name just doesn't have the collectibility Gibson has. The Empire is the tenor version of the Deluxe and was available from 1931 to 1939.

16 3/8' wide, maple back and sides, 3 ply binding on top and back, single bound fingerboard, bound peghead, gold plated parts.

1931 Deluxe introduction specs:

• Diamonds and triangle fingerboard inlay.
• 3 segment F-holes.
• Masterbilt peghead with flowers.
• Tenor version available called theEmpire (discontinued 1939).

1934 Deluxe specs:

• Foral and notched diamond fingerboard inlays.
• White pickguard.
• Vine peghead inlay.

1939 Deluxe specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.
• Natural finish optional.
• Center dip peghead.

1941 Zephyr Deluxe specs:

• Electric (Zephyr) version available: 1 pickup in bridge position, volume and tone control on 1 shaft with circular 'MasterVoicer' control plate.

1950 Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe Regent specs:

• Cutaway version (Regent) available.
• Laminated maple or spruce top or electric versions.
• New York style pickup(s) on Zephyr Deluxe.
• Single pickup Zephyr Deluxe has pickup in neck position.
• Two pickups available with slotted Strat-style switch.
• Two knobs mounted on circular 'MasterVoicer' control plate.
• Rosewood fingerboard.
• Some with Emperor style pearl/abalone V-block fingerboard inlays.

1951 Zephyr Deluxe, Zephyr Deluxe Regent specs:

• Knobs in line parallel to strings.
• 'MasterVoicer' control plate discontinued.

1954 Deluxe Electric specs:

• Non-cutaway electric model discontinued.
• Zephyr Deluxe Regent (cutaway) version renamed Deluxe Electric.
• Knobs in line that crosses strings.

1958 Deluxe specs:

• Gibson made.
• Deluxe Electric (Zephyr Deluxe) and acoustic non-cutaway models dropped, leaving only the acoustic cutaway model available.

1965 Deluxe specs:

• Available by special order only.

Deluxe Discontinued 1970.

1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent.

1961 Epiphone Zephyr Natural E311TN thinline with Gibson mini-humbuckers.

Epiphone Zephyr, Zephyr Regent, Zephyr Electric archtops.
Collectibility Rating: Electric Cutaway model: D+, Electric Non-Cutaway model: D-.
Electric Epi's have little collectibility because of their plywood construction.

Maple veneer body, slotted-block fingerboard inlay, nickel plated parts, metal peghead logo plate.

1939 Zephyr introduction specs:

• 16 3/8' wide body, non-cutaway.
• 1 pickup with oblong housing and metal cover in bridge position.
• Multiple bound top, single bound top and fingerboard.
• Blond finish.

1942 Zephyr specs:

• Pickup in middle position.
• Single bound top.

1950 Zephyr and Zephyr Regent specs:

• 17 3/8' wide body with laminated spruce or maple top.
• Frequensator tailpiece.
• 1 New York pickup in neck position.
• Sunburst or blond finish.
• Available with cutaway (Zephyr Regent).

1953 Zephyr and Zephyr Regent specs:

• Avaliable with DeArmond pickup.

1954 Zephyr Electric specs:

• Rename Zephyr Electric (for both non-cutaway and cutaway models).

1958 Zephyr Electric specs:

• Acoustic model dropped.
• Gibson-made thinbody with rounded cutaway.
• 2 New York pickups.
• Unbound tortoise pickguard.

1961 Zephyr Electric specs:

• Mini-humbucker pickups replace New York pickups.

Zephyr Discontinued 1964.

1959 Gibson-made Epiphone Century.
Melita bridge is not original.

Epiphone Century electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.

1939 Century introduction specs:
• 16 3/8' wide, non-cutaway.
• Blade pickup with oblong housing and metal cover/handrest in bridge position.
• Output jack on top.
• Single bound top, back, fingerboard.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Metal peghead logo.
• Walnut finish.
• Tenor version available called theMelody (discontinued 1958).

1942 Century specs:

• 15 1/4' wide.
• No handrest.
• Jack on side.

1946 Century specs:

• 16 3/8' wide, non-cutaway.
• Oblong pickup with fat blade in neck position.
• Square control plate with radial markings.
• Unbound fingerboard.

1950 Century specs:

• Large rectangular pickup with non-adjusting poles.
• Some Century's with New York pickup.
• Highlighted mahogany finish.

1954 Century specs:

• Blond finish available.
• Rectangular black pickup housing with oblong chrome plates.
• Some Century's with New York pickup.

1958 Century specs:

• Gibson made.
• 16 3/8' wide non-cutaway thin body.
• 1 New York pickup.
• 25 1/2' scale.
• Sunburst finish.

1960 Century specs:

• P90 pickup replaces New York pickup.

1961 Century specs:

• No peghead plate.
• Royal Burgundy finish available.

Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1934 Epiphone Tudor.

Epiphone Tudor acoustic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C.

16 3/8' wide, trapeze tailpiece, triple bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, floral and notched diamond fingerboard inlay, Masterbilt peghead, gold plated parts.

1931 Tudor introduction.
1934 Tudor specs: Maple back and sides, bound pickguard, block letter logo, wandering ving peghead inlay, unbound peghead.
1937 Tudor discontinued.

1954 Epiphone Broadway Zephyr Regent.

Epiphone Broadway acoustic and electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: Acoustic Cutaway model: C, Acoustic Non-Cutaway model: D+, Gibson-made Electric Cutaway model: C.

16 3/8' wide, 25.5' scale, walnut back and sides, 3 ply binding on top and back,single bound fingerboard, bound peghead. The Bretton is the tenor version of the Broadway, and was available from 1931 to 1954 (renamed Broadway Tenor in 1937).

1931 Broadway introduction specs:

• 3 segment F-holes.
• Ebony fingerboard.
• Masterbilt peghead with flowers.
• Tenor version available called the Bretton (discontinued 1937).

1934 Broadway specs:

• Large block fingerboard inlays.
• Gold plated parts.
• Unbound peghead.
• Wandering vine peghead inlay.

1937 Broadway specs:

• 17 3/8' wide non-cutaway body.
• Pickguard extends even with bridge.
• Standard F-holes.
• Multiple bound peghead.

1939 Broadway specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.
• Maple back and sides.
• Center dip peghead.

1941 Broadway specs:

• Natural finish available.
• Flower peghead inlay.

1951 Broadway specs:

• Cutaway version (Regent) available.
• Fat column peghead inlay.

1958 Broadway Electric specs:

• Gibson made, cutaway model.
• Acoustic model discontinued.
• 2 New York pickups.

1961 Broadway Electric specs:

• 2 Mini-humbucking pickups.
• Tunematic bridge.

Broadway Discontinued 1970.

1953 Epiphone Triumph Regent. Picture from Folkway Music.

Epiphone Triumph acoustic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: Cutaway model: C, Non-cutaway model: D.
The Triumph is essentially a Gibson L-7, or the poor-man's Deluxe (or L-5).

16 3/8' wide, 25.5' scale, 3 ply binding on top and back, sunburst finish, single bound fingerboard, bound peghead, gold plated parts. Note: only interested in cutaway (Regent) version. The Hollywood is the Tenor version of the Truimph, and was available from 1934 to 1956 (renamed Truimph Tenor in 1937).

1931 Triumph introduction specs:

• Walnut back and sides.
• Paired diamond fingerboard inlays.
• Masterbilt peghead.
• Tenor version available called the Royal (discontinued 1935).

1934 Triumph specs:

• Maple back and sides.
• Notched diamond fingerboard inlays.
• Floral ornament with fleur-de-lis design at top inlaid on peghead.
• Block letter logo.
• Script logo in 1935.

1937 Triumph specs:

• 17 3/8' wide non-cutaway body.
• Script logo.
• Pickguard extends below bridge.
• Standard F-holes.
• Single bound peghead and back.

1939 Triumph specs:

• Frequensator tailpiece.

1941 Triumph specs:

• Natural finish available.
• Center dip peghead.

1949 Triumph specs:

• Cutaway version (Regent) available.
• Fat column peghead inlay.
• 'E' on pickguard.

1958 Triumph specs:

• Gibson made.
• Non-cut model discontinued.

Triumph Discontinued 1970.

Epiphone Spartan archtops.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

16 3/8' wide, nickel plated parts, bound top, back, fingerboard. Tenor version call the 'Regent' from 1934 to 1937, then renamed the Spartan Tenor (tenor version discontinued 1950).

1934 Spartan introduction specs:

• Round sound hole.
• Maple back and sides.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Stickpin peghead inlay.
• Block peghead logo.
• Sunburst finish.
• Tenor version available called theRegent (discontinued 1937).

1937 Spartan specs:

• F-holes.
• Walnut back and sides.
• Slotted block fingerboard inlays.
• Greek column peghead inlay.
• Script peghead logo.

1941 Spartan specs:

• Blond finish available with white mahogany wood.

Spartan Discontinued 1950.

Epiphone Blackstone archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.

1931 Blackstone introduction specs:
• 14 3/4' wide, mahogany back and sides.
• Round sound hole.
• Single bound top, back, fingerboard.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Sunburst finish.

1933 Blackstone specs:

• Masterbilt banner on peghead.

1934 Blackstone specs:

• 15 1/2' wide.
• Block letter logo.
• Stickpin peghead inlay.

1937 Blackstone specs:

• 16 3/8' wide non cutaway.
• Maple back and sides.
• F-holes.
• Parallelagram fingerboard inlays.
• Notched elongated diamond peghead inlay.
• Script logo.
• Tenor version available.

1941 Blackstone specs:

• Blond finish available.

1945 Blackstone specs:

• Abalone vertical oval peghead inlay.
• Abalone peghead logo.

Blackstone Discontinued 1950.

1953 Epiphone Devon.

Epiphone Devon archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C.

1949: 17 3/8' wide carved top, 25.5' scale, frequensator tailpiece, single bound pickguard, triple bound top, oval fingerboard inlays, vertical oval peghead inlay, script Epi logo, sunburst or blond finish. Discontinued in 1953.Structurally the same as the Broadway and Triumph models.

1933 Epiphone Royal.

Epiphone Royal archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

1931: Mahogany back and sides, 3 segment 'f' hole, single bound top and back and fingerboard, dot fingerboard inlays, Masterbilt peghead, sunburst finish.
1934: 15 1/2' wide, walnut back and sides, rounded peak peghead.
1935: discontinued.

1948 Epiphone Zenith.

Epiphone Zenith archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D- (similar to an ES-125).

1931 Zenith introduction specs:
• 13 5/8' wide.
• Segmented F-holes.
• Maple back and sides.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Single bound top and back.
• Sunburst finish.
• Tenor version available called theMelody (discontinued 1958).

1934 Zenith specs:

• 14 3/4' wide.
• Walnut back and sides.
• Stickpin peghead logo.
• Block peghead logo.

1954 Zenith specs:

• Blond finish available.
• Vertical oval peghead inlay.

1958 Zenith specs:

• Gibson made.
• 16 3/8' wide.

Zenith Discontinued 1970.

1934 Epiphone Beverly.

Epiphone Beverly archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.

13' wide, flat top, arched back, mahogany back and sides, 3 segmented 'f' holes, adjustable bridge, trapeze tailpiece, elevated pickguard, no body binding, dot fingerboard inlays, rounded top pehead, brown finish, tenor available. Introduced 1931 and discontinued in 1937.

Epiphone Olympic archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D--.

• 1931 Olympic specs: 13' wide, mahogany back and sides, 3 segmented 'f' holes.
• 1933 Olympic specs: 13 5/8' wide, trapeze tailpiece, rounded end fingerboard with dot inlays, rounded non-peak peghead, sunburst finish.
• 1934 Olympic specs: decal logo with 'Epiphone' on a banner and 'masterbilt' underneath banner.
• 1937 Olympic specs: 15 1/4' wide, standard 'f' holes. Tenor and plectrum version available.
• 1942 Olympic specs: script peghead logo with tail underneath.
• 1939 Olympic specs: center dip peghead.
• 1950 Olympic specs: discontinued.

Note in 1937-1939 Epiphone sold a model called the Apollo in England. It was very similar to the Olympic with amahogany or birch 16' sunburst body, segmented f-holes, rectanglefingerboard inlays, 'Epiphone Masterbilt' decal peghead logo, and a black pickguard. It cost less than the Olympic and had a mix of features which Jim Fisch says led to speculation it may have been produced by Regal for Epiphone.

1937 Epiphone Apollo, replaced tuners.

Epiphone Byron archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.

Gibson Epiphone Banjo Serial Numbers Lookup

15 3/8' wide, mahogany back and sides, adjustable bridge, trapeze tailpiece, unbound elevated pickguard, single bound top and back, dot fingerboard inlays, script Epi logo with tail underneath, center dip peghead. Available about 1938 only.

Epiphone Ritz archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.

15 1/4' wide, maple back and sides, tortoise grain binding, trapeze tailpiece, dot fingerboard inlays, center dip pickguard, cherry neck blond finish. Tenor version available. Introduced 1941 and discontinued in 1950.

1965 Gibson-made Epiphone Sheraton.

Epiphone Sheraton thinline semi-hollow electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: NY parts models: B+, Gibson parts models: C.
With NY pickups, knobs and neck, this is a very elegant model on par with Gibson's ES-355. However, with Gibson parts it's way less collectible.

16' wide, double round cutaways, thin semi-hollow body with solid maple block down center (like an ES-355), sunburst or blond finish, 7 layer top body binding, multiple bound neck, back, headstock, pickguard, flower headstock inlay, V-block pearl/abalone fingerboard inlay, 24 3/4' scale, Frequensator tailpiece (optional Bigsby), gold plated parts.

1958 Sheraton introduction specs:

• 2 New York pickups.

1961 Sheraton specs:

• 2 mini-humbucking pickups.
• Vibrato standard.

1965 Sheraton specs:

• Cherry finish optional.

Sheraton Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1966 Riveria.

Epiphone Riviera thinline electric semi-hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C-.
Epi's version of the ES-335, but uglier.

16' wide, double round cutaways, thin semi-hollow body with solid maple block down center (like an ES-335), royal tan finish, bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, 24 3/4' scale, mini-humbucking pickups, Frequensator tailpiece.

Late 1961 Riviera introduction specs:

• oval fingerboard inlays (like a Windsor).
• Single bound tortoise pickguard.

1961 Riviera introduction specs:

• single parallelogram fingerboard inlays

  1965 Riviera specs:

  • Sunburst finish standard.

  1966 Riviera specs:

  • White 3-ply pickguard with beveled edges.
  • Cherry finish optional.

1967 Riviera specs:
• Vibrato optional.

Riviera Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1961 Gibson-made Epiphone Casino, royal tan.

Epiphone Casino thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup model: C+, 1 pickup model: D-.
Essentially an ES-330. The fact that the Beatles used this guitar is the key reason it has any collectibility.

16' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thin body (like an ES-330), sunburst or royal tan finish, 24 3/4' scale, trapeze tailpiece (optional Bigsby), 16 frets clear of the body, single bound fingerboard, 1 P-90 pickup in middle position or 2 P-90 pickups.

1961 Casino introduction specs:

• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Black pickup covers.
• Metal peghead Epiphone logo
• tortoise pickguard

1962 Casino specs:

• Pearl inlaid Epiphone peghead logo.

1963 Casino specs:

• Single parallelogram fingerboard inlays.
• Nickel plated pickup covers.
• White pickguard.

1965 Casino specs:

• Chrome plated pickup covers and other parts.

1967 Casino specs:

• Cherry finish optional.

Casino Discontinued 1970 (later available in Japanese-made line).

1962 Professional.

Epiphone Professional thinline fully hollow electric archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D.
A strange bird indeed. All amp controls are on the guitar, and it requires the matching amp to be fully functional. It is usable with other amps via the 1/4' jack on the top of the guitar(to utilize the matching amp requires a special cable plugged intothe guitar's multi-pin jack). There is one volume and one tone knob and 5 tone switches (giving a lot of tone variations for a one pickup guitar), which work through the 1/4' jack. The other controls on the guitar control the reverb and tremolo on the original matching amp and are as follows: one on/off switch for the reverb and one for the tremolo, one rotary knob for controlling the amount of reverb, one for controlling the amount of tremolo and one for the speed of the tremolo. So essentially the guitar is fully functional withoutthe matching amp, aside from the treble/reverb functions.But a bit too weird for most collectors, and with the single pickupbeing in the neck position, this scares away most players.

16 1/4' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thinbody, 1 mini-humbucking pickup, triple bound top, single bound back and fingerboard, single parallelogram fingerboard inlays, 24 3/4' scale, Frequensator tailpiece, tuneamatic bridge, royal tan or red finish. Came with a special amplifier. All amp controls on the guitar's black/white/black pickguard with 7 switches and 5 knobs. Symmetrical pickguard covered almost the whole top of the guitar.

Introduced in 1962, discontinued 1967.

Epiphone Caiola, Caiola Custom, Caiola Standard thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: C-.
Essentially a fancy artist-model ES-330.

16' wide, double round cutaways, fully hollow thin body (like an ES-330), 2 mini-humbucking pickups, ebony adjustable bridge, zero nut, no soundholes, 25 1/2' scale, trapeze tailpiece with wood center insert saying 'Caiola Model', single bound fingerboard, 7-ply top and 5-ply back binding, arc-shaped control plate with 2 knobs, 5 switches and pickup selector, 'Custom' at end of fingerboard, block fingerboard inlays, fat column peghead logo, brownish-red or royal tan finish.
• Introduced 1963.
• 1965: Tuneamatic bridge added.
• 1966: Renamed 'Caiola Custom'.
• 1966: Caiola Standard introduced with 2 P-90 pickups, single bound top, dot fingerboard inlays, no peghead ornament.
• 1968: Walnut finish only for Caiola Custom.
• Caiola Custom, Caiola Standard discontinued 1970.

1961 Windor with 2 mini-humbuckers.

Epiphone Windsor thinline electric fully hollow cutaway archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup NY part model: B, 2 pickup Gibson part model: C+, all 1 pickup models: D-.
Basically a fancier Gibson ES-125tc or ES-125tdc models, but with better pickups andbetter hardware. The 1961/1962 models really rock because of thePAF mini-humbuckers. The 1959/1960 models don't sound as loud andpowerful, but have a more jazzy and mellow tone. This model is apersonal favorite of mine.

16 3/8' wide, single pointed cutaway, unbound tortoise pickguard, metal peghead logo, 24 3/4' scale, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, gold plated parts, oval fingerboard inlays, natural or sunburst finish.

1959 Windsor introduction specs:

• 1 or 2 New York pickups (1 pu models in neck position).

1961 Windsor specs:

• Mini Humbucking pickups.
• No peghead plate.

Windsor Discontinued 1962.

Gibson Epiphone Masterbuilt Banjo

A single pickup 1967 Sorrento
in Olive sunburst.

Epiphone Sorrento thinline electric fully hollow cutaway archtop.
Collectibility Rating: 2 pickup model: C, 1 pickup model: D-.
Epi's version of the ES-125tc or ES-125tdc, but with mini-humbucker pickups.

16 1/4' wide, single pointed cutaway, unbound tortoise pickguard, metal peghead logo, 24 3/4' scale, tuneamatic bridge, trapeze tailpiece, nickel plated parts, dot fingerboard inlays, vibrato optional, natural or sunburst finish.

1960 Sorrento introduction specs: Draw board pdf crack free.

• 1 or 2 PAF mini-humbucking pickups (1 pu models in neck position).

1962 Sorrento specs:

• Oval fingerboard inlays.
• No peghead plate.
• 3/4 size available.
• Vibrato discontinued.

1968 Sorrento specs:

• Cherry finish available.

Sorrento Discontinued 1970.

1965 Gibson-made Epiphone Granada.

Epiphone Granada and Granada Cutaway thinline electric fully hollow archtop.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

Much like a Gibson ES-120T. 16 1/4' non-cutaway, thinbody, 1 F-hole, 1 Melody Maker pickup mounted into the pickguard, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, controls mounted into pickguard, 24 3/4' scale, dot fingerboard inlays, sunburst finish.
• Introduced 1962.
• 1965: Granada Cutaway introduced with single sharp cutaway.
• Granada and Granada Cutaway Discontinued 1970.

1955 Epi FT-210 Deluxe Cutaway.

Epiphone FT Deluxe and FT210 Deluxe Cutaway flat tops.
Collectibility Rating: Cutaway model: A, Non-cutaway model: B.
Has the same attributes as Epi's Deluxe archtop, but in a flat top version. The cutaway model is like a cutaway J-200; a very rare and unique model. Of all pre-1958 Epi flattops, in my opinion this is the coolest!

Gibson Epiphone Banjo Serial Numbers Post War

• FT Deluxe specs: 16 1/2' wide, maple back and sides, pickguard, trapeze tailpiece, multiple bound top and back, maple neck, multiple bound rosewood fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, vine peghead inlay, gold plated parts, sunburst or natural finish.
• Introducted 1939. Discontinued 1942.

  FT210 Deluxe Cutaway specs: 17 3/8' wide, single round cutaway, multiple bound top and back, single bound fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, flower peghead inlay, gold plated parts, natural top finish (some sunburst).

• Introduced in early 1950's. Discontinued 1957.

1967 Epi Excellente

Epiphone FT120 Excellente flat top.
Collectibility Rating: B.
The fanciest flat top produced during this period by Gibson. Brazilian rosewood back and sides makes it collectible. 1965 to 1970 models worth less than 1963-1964 models with bigger necks. Too bad this model didn't have 'slope shoulders', or it would be top in it's class (most collectors don't like Gibson's square shoulder dreadnought designs).
Square shoulder dreadnought shape, rosewood back and sides, tune-o-matic bridge, large pointed pickguard with engraved eagle, multiple bound top, back, and ebony fingerboard, cloud fingerboard inlays, large pearl and abalone peghead inlay, single bound peghead, gold plated parts, natural top finish. Introduced in 1963. Discontinued 1970.

1966 Gibson-made Epiphone Frontier.

Epiphone FT110 (Frontier) flat top.
Collectibility Rating: Epi-made: C-, Gibson-made: C+.

1942-1957 New York made FT100 specs: 16' wide, arched maple back, cherry neck, multiple bound top, single bound fingerboard, slotted block fingerboard inlays, fixed bridge with compensating saddle, vertical oval peghead inlay.

Gibson made FT110 Frontier specs: 16 1/4' wide, 25 1/2' scale, square shoulder dreadnought shape, maple back and sides, bound fingerboard, sloted block fingerboard inlays, walnut finish on back and sides, natural or sunburst top, gold plated parts.

1958 FT110 Frontier specs:

• Gibson made ('Frontier' added to FT110 model name).

1962 FT110 Frontier specs:

• Adjustable saddle bridge.

1963 FT110 Frontier specs:
• Large pointed pickguard with rope and cactus design.

1966 FT110 Frontier specs:

• Standard teardrop shape pickguard, often with slashed 'C' logo.

FT110 Discontinued 1970.

1955 Epiphone Texan.

Epiphone FT79 (Texan) flat top.
Collectibility Rating: Epi-made: C-, Gibson-made: C.
The Gibson-made version is much like a J-45.

16' wide, walnut back and sides, triple bound top, single bound back and peghead.

1942 FT79 introduction specs:

• Slotted block fingerboard inlays.
• Stickpin peghead inlay.

1954 FT79 specs:

• Maple back and sides.
• Triple bound back (some single bound).
• Single parallelogram fingerboard inlays.
• Vertical oval peghead inlay.

1958 FT79 Texan specs:
• Gibson made ('Texan' added to FT79 model name).
• Round shouldered dreadnought shape.
• Mahogany back and sides.
• angled side rectangle fingerboard inlays.
• oval pearl peghead inlay.
• Slashed 'C' logo on pickguard.
• Plastic tuner buttons.

1962 FT79 Texan specs:

• Adjustable saddle bridge.

1967 FT79 Texan specs:

• Metal tuner buttons.
• Square shoulder body shape.

FT79 Discontinued 1970.

Epiphone Crestwood and Crestwood Custom solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: NY parts model: B+, Gibson parts model: C-.

Mahogany body, 2 pickups, tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece, pickguard with slashed 'C' logo, rosewood fingerboard.

1962 Crestwood Custom in Polaris White, 3+3 tuners.

1958 Crestwood introduction specs:

• Two New York pickups.
• 1 3/4' thick symmetrical slab body with squared edges.
• Square body edges.
• Sunburst finish.
• NY style white knobs.
• Tunematic bridge.
• Metal peghead logo.
• 3 tuners on a side peghead style.
• Asymmetrical pickguard with slashed-C logo.
• Gold plated parts.
• Inked serial number a la solidbody Gibsons.
• Dot fingerboard inlays.

1964 Crestwood Custom, batwing peghead.

Late 1959 Crestwood Custom specs:
• Renamed Crestwood Custom.
• 1 3/8' thick body with rounded edges.
• Symmetrical pickguard.
• Cherry Red finish.

1961 Crestwood Custom specs:

• Two mini-humbucking pickups.
• Pearl peghead logo replaces metal plate logo.
• Oval pearl fingerboard inlays replaced dot inlays.
• Vibrato tailpiece standard.
• Gibson style knobs.
• No pickguard logo.
• Serial number stamped into back of peghead wood a la solidbody Gibsons.

1962 Crestwood Custom specs:

• White finish optional.
• Vibrato uses a rosewood insert.

1963 Crestwood Custom specs:

• Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer than upper treble.
• Asymmetrical pickguard.
• Vibrato tailpiece optional.
• Bound fingerboard.
• Goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs often used.
• 6 on a side ('batwing') tuner configuration.
• Nickel plated parts.

1964 Crestwood Custom specs:

• Maestro vibrato has no rosewood insert.

1965 Crestwood Custom specs:

• Maestro vibrato standard.

Crestwood Custom discontinued 1970.

Epiphone Crestwood Deluxe solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: D+.

Basically a three pickup Crestwood Custom.Asymmetrical body with bass horn slightly longer than treble, rounded body edges, 1 3/8' deep, 3 mini-humbucking pickups, tuneomatic bridge, vibrato, asymmetrical pickguard, bound ebony fingerboard, block fingerboard inlays, triple bound peghead, 6 on a side ('batwing') tuners, cherry or white finish.
• Introduced 1963.
• Discontinued 1969.

1964 Wilshire with a stop tailpiece and the 'cheap amp' knobs.

Epiphone Wilshire solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: 3+3 tuner models: C+, Batwing peghead model: D.

1959 Wilshire introduction specs:
• Symmetrical slab body with square body edges, 1 3/4' deep
• 2 white soapbar P-90 pickups
• Symmetrical pickguard
• Tuneomatic bridge
• NY style knobs.
• Vibrato optional
• Dot fingerboard inlays.
• Unbound rosewood fingerboard.
• Pearl peghead logo.
• Sunburst or Cherry red finish.

1960 Wilshire specs:

• 1 3/8' deep body with round edges.
• Cherry red finish.

1961 Wilshire specs:

• Black soapbar P-90 pickups.
• Stop tailpiece (vibrato no longer optional).
• Gibson style knobs.

Mid-1962 Wilshire specs:

• Two mini-humbuckers.
• Maestro vibrato optional.

1963 Wilshire specs:

• Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer.
• 6 on a side ('batwing') tuner configuration.
• Gold silkscreen Epiphone peghead logo.
• Goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs often used.
• From 1963 to 1969, the Wilshire and the Crestwood Custom are nearlyidentical, expect the Wilshire has dot fingerboard inlays, a goldpeghead logo, and no fingerboard binding. Also the Wilshire isoften seen with a stop tailpiece (where the Crestwood Custom almostnever has this option).

1965 Wilshire specs:
• Red Silver Fox finish optional (Cherry red stain with yellow/silver pore filler).

1966 Wilshire specs:

• Stop tailpiece (vibrato no longer optional).

Discontinued 1970.

Epiphone Coronet solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: Gen1: B, Gen2: C+, Gen3: C-.

Mahogany body, 1 pickup, combination bridge/tailpiece (like a Les Paul Junior), rosewood fingerboard, dot fingerboard inlays.

1958-1959 Epiphone Coronet, first generation


1958 Coronet introduction specs:

• 1 New York pickups.
• 1 3/4' thick symmetrical body.
• Square body edges.
• Sunburst or black finish.
• NY style knobs.
• 3+3 tuners peghead style.
• Metal peghead logo.
• Asymmetrical pickguard.
• Inked serial number a la solidbody Gibsons.

1960-1962 Epiphone Coronet, second generation.


1960 Coronet specs:

• Black P-90 pickup replaces New York pickup.
• 1 3/8' thick body.
• Rounded body edges.
• Symmetrical pickguard.
• Cherry finish.

1961 Coronet specs:
• Pearl peghead logo.
• Gibson style knobs.
• Serial number stamped into back of peghead wood a la solidbody Gibsons.

1962 Coronet specs:

• Vibrato optional.

1963-1969 Epiphone Coronet, third generation
with 'batwing' peghead, Silver Fox finish.


1963 Coronet specs:

• Asymmetrical body with upper bass horn slightly longer than upper treble.
• 6 on a side ('batwing') tuner configuration.
• Chrome P-90 pickup.
• Goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs.
• Green Silver-fox finish optional (a translucent green finish with silver pore filler).

1964 Epiphone Dwight (Coronet) with vibrato, Green Silver Fox finish.


1964 Epiphone Dwight specs:

• The Coronet also came labeled as an Epiphone Dwight model. Sameguitar, different branding, says 'Dwight' on the truss rod cover.

1966 Coronet specs:

• Vibrato discontinued.

Coronet Discontinued 1970.

1967 Olympic Double in cherry red finish,
(2 pickup) model. Note the black, narrow, Melody Maker style pickups.

Epiphone Olympic (1 pickup), Olympic Double (2 pickups),Olympic 3/4 (1 pickup, 3/4 scale) solidbody electrics.
Collectibility Rating: D-.
Combination tailpiece/bridge,dot fingerboard inlays, available one or two pickups and in 3/4 scale length version, thin black Melody Maker style pickups, sunburst finish.
• Introduced 1960. Single cutaway (like Gibson's Melody Maker), 3+3 tuner configuration.
• 1963: Asymmetrical double cutaway body with upper bass horn slightly longerthan treble horn, logo between pickups, goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs.
• 1964: 3/4 scale length version discontinued, 6 on a side 'batwing' peghead,Maestro vibrato optional.
• 1965: vibrato standard.
• 1966: cherry finish optoinal.
• Discontinued 1970.

1963 Epiphone Olympic Special.

Epiphone Olympic Special solidbody electric.
Collectibility Rating: D-.

One Melody Maker thin black style pickup, dot fingerboard inlays, thin Melody Makerstyle peghead, logo reads upside down to player,sunburst finish.
• Introduced 1962. Symmetrical body with sharper cutaway than other Episolidbody models.
• 1964: Maestro vibrato optional, goofy looking 'cheap amp' style barrel knobs.
• 1965: Asymmetrical body with bass horn slightly longer than treble horn(still with sharper tips than other Epi solidbody models), vibrato standard.
• Discontinued 1970.

Gibson Epiphone Masterbuilt Banjo